Search: Patent Office
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October 2026
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Trademark & IPDraft guidelines on design registration of GUIs and icons: registrable only when applied to an article; comments invited within 30 days
Comments within 30 daysComments invitedThe Patent Office has published draft Guidelines for Registration of Designs relating to GUI & Icon under the Designs Act, 2000. A GUI or icon shown on its own will not be registrable; it must be applied to an article such as a mobile phone or monitor. Stakeholders can send comments by e-mail within 30 days of the public notice.
September 2026
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Trademark & IPPatent Office releases draft examination guidelines for pharmaceutical and biotechnology patent applications, 2026
Draft pharma, biotech guidesComments invitedThe Office of the CGPDTM has published two drafts — Guidelines for Examination of Patent Applications in the Field of Pharmaceuticals and in the Field of Biotechnology, both marked 2026. They are meant to bring uniform examination standards and to take in court decisions. Both are drafts; the Act and Rules prevail in any conflict.
August 2026
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Trademark & IPPatent Office puts out draft Manual of Patent Office Practice and Procedure, version 4.0: a 22-chapter guide that is not law
Draft Patent Manual v4.0Comments invitedThe Office of the CGPDTM has published a Draft Manual of Patent Office Practice and Procedure, version 4.0, 2026. It codifies procedure from filing to grant, opposition, renewal and compulsory licensing. The preface says it does not constitute rule making and does not have the force of law. It is a draft, not a final manual.
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Trademark & IPPatent Office frames guidelines on AI in patent examination: AI may assist, the Examiner or Controller stays fully responsible
AI assists, officer decidesNew facilityThe Office of the CGPDTM has published Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Patent Examination Procedures. They list 12 typical uses with risks and safeguards, six prohibited uses — including feeding unpublished applications into public AI tools — and provide for an AI Governance Committee.
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